How would you respond if your daughter called to let you know the police came and arrested JIM again. Or your grandson calls this afternoon and tells you they have to be in Court tomorrow and there’s a good chance they may be remanded in custody – be in prison for a period of time! As a Prison Chaplain, I speak with many men who were living life happily, decent men with families and jobs, to find something from their past has caught up with them. GULP. (Police are acting on a lot of historical cases at the moment). Other men have been living life on the fringe of our community, been in trouble a little with the Police but nothing ‘serious’ – perhaps like your larrikin grandson or daughter. But last week they were caught with a quantity of drugs and they’re in trouble – big trouble, they tell you. Their life’s path suddenly takes a sharp turn!
(Pic of Guy with words “Restoring Lives Inside Out” ) This is what Prison Fellowship is all about. You could argue that’s what Jesus is about – taking our lives and restoring them to a relationship with their Creator which of course is an “inside job” – our hearts and minds being reconciled with God. This then works its way out, to our relationships with others, with the world and how we interact with everything around us.
I have come to think of life, the decisions and changes we navigate, to be like going on a walk or drive through the Australian bush. It’s not always an easy path.
Like when you go on a decent bush walk to somewhere like Pelverata Falls – in the Huon Valley. About a half day walk. The Pelverata track starts out on a nice flat boardwalk over marshland, then a twisting turning dirt track with occasional rocks to climb over. The track starts to ascend, as you climb higher and higher (become puffed) around the corner, a moment to stop for a beautiful outlook. The track opens up to a grassy plain, the walking is easy, more relaxed before you begin climbing again. Can you see how this might be like your journey through life?
Scenery Changes
As we walk with God through life, the scenes change like the Australian bush does. In our life there will be scenes of trouble, difficulties which may trip us up. Some parts are slippery and difficult to navigate – Where is the right path? Other times, life is fairly easy-going, the path is smooth. I wonder what the scene of your life is like, at the moment?
Nothing is Wasted
I firmly believe that none of what the Lord takes us through, is wasted. JC Ryle said, “There is no such thing as “chance”, “luck” or “accident” in the Christian’s journey through this world. All is arranged and appointed by God.” I’ve reflected with several Prison inmates how their life has suddenly taken a turn around a corner – they’ve found themselves in prison – huge change, very distressing, perhaps from an incident 20 or 30 years ago. Others are about to turn a different corner and we talk about coping as they’re about to be released.
Currently in Risdon Prison there are around 765 inmates – in Tasmania that number had dropped about 4% from 2020 level, but recently has increased 6.5% from 2022. The vast majority are men (711) 93%
The most concerning statistic I’ve come across about Prisons, is what the ABC reported in 2020: that within 2 years, 47% of inmates who are released (men and women) will find themselves back behind bars. That’s nearly half of prisoners released find themselves back inside within 2 years! Imagine coming out of prison with no job, few skills and nowhere to live. Some inmates say, life’s easier in prison, than trying to live on the streets…at least Inside you’ve got somewhere to sleep and regular meals.
Prison Fellowship is passionate about helping the local church reach their community, primarily partnering with the Church…we are custodians of the Lord’s resources – it’s not just about money (Chain-breakers). Jesus chooses to use us, His people to achieve His purposes and to do His work. You could be the Friend or mentor who can help keep a recently released man or woman focussed and on track, so they don’t fall back into their old ways.
Our reading this morning from Matthew 25:31-40 describes a scene yet to be played out.
Verse 31 At the end of time, the Son of Man gathers all the nations together, He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. This (photo of sheep and goats mixed together, hard to tell the difference) picture helps me to imagine Shepherds in the ancient east placing the sheep (denoting God’s people) on His right and the goats (those who have no relationship with God) on his left.
What to Do Until Jesus Returns?
I’m wondering if we know what we should be doing while we await Jesus’ return? None of us know how long we have on this earth. What matters is how we are using the time He has given us.
Jesus gives us some examples of the types of things we should be doing. Those He welcomes into His kingdom have (v35-36) “given food to the hungry; given a drink to the thirsty; invited in the stranger; clothed those in need; looked after the sick and visited the imprisoned”. The righteous ask, “When Lord, have we seen you like that?
Care needs to be taken here – I’m not saying you should give people whatever they ask of you. I don’t give cash when I’m asked by someone on the street – however if someone is truly hungry, we should be compassionate. I’m happy to take them to buy a sandwich & drink.
It’s easy to see people every day as we go about our daily routine, but not really see them – it’s almost like they are invisible.
If we actually open our eyes to people around us, we may see brothers and sisters in “need”. We may not come across the homeless – but the brothers and sisters we do come across, are often hungry for fellowship, longing for deeper friendship than just a quick chat on Sunday morning. It’s so easy not to see people in need…I’m thinking of those even in our Church.
Even For the Least of Them
Jesus answers the obvious question – “When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” Read verse 40, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for Me.” Who are “the least of them”? Different Bible translations use varying phrases to describe who Jesus is talking about here in verse 40 – “brothers and sisters”, “little ones”, “my disciples”, “any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seem”. They might be the sick, (in hospital or Nursing Homes) the homeless (sleeping rough or in Shelters), the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the imprisoned, no matter how unimportant they seem”.
Let’s be clear, salvation is by faith alone.
Ephesians 2:8–9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith –– not by works, so that no one can boast”.
What is most impacting about this story in Matthew, is that in helping the “least of these” our acts of love and kindness are not simply to the person we help, but to Jesus Himself.
Think about the times you wished you had someone who would show you some kindness, love, empathy or care. I’m sure most of us, from time to time have felt like one of “the least of these”. Not just about material things, but about friendship, someone to care about you. If we can’t care for one another in the Church, how can we show compassion to those imprisoned, homeless or hungry?
SILENCE
- PF offers assistance to prisoners and their families for FREE.
- PF isn’t able to help hundreds of prisoner’s families because we don’t have the financial capacity nor enough volunteers. We rely on support from passionate, faithful Christians, just like you. Remember that within 2 years, 47% of Risdon Prison inmates who are released, will find themselves back behind bars – within 2 years! We’d love to increase our post-release support for these men and women.
So, today I want to ask you to join with us, with me in reaching prisoners and their families, join with Prison Fellowship to reach people:
- You can do that through: Giving hope is powerful
- Prayer – Will commit yourself to pray for me, our Prison Chaplaincy team and our Prison Fellowship volunteers? We’re very aware we are working in a Prison! Enough said.
Secondly, Give – I invite you to become a Chain-Breaker – These people commit to a monthly donation ($.50 per day) which will help us support 3 Tasmanian prisoners and their families.
Your donation will assist us to train more volunteers to help more Tasmanians in prison and their children (AT gifts delivered) while they are incarcerated, then through Post-Release Support as they are Released from prison.
Thirdly, you could Visit or Write to an Inmate who has requested to receive contact from PF volunteers. Pray – Give – Go
Will you respond to the Lord’s prompting this morning?
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